extreme, pole, extremely, very, highly, most, end, settlement, conclusion, highest rank
極 centers on reaching the furthest point or highest degree: an extreme, a pole, the very end, or the utmost rank. The settlement and conclusion senses are natural extensions of arriving at a final, definitive point.
極 combines 木 (tree/wood) with 亟, which likely contributes the sound and carries the idea of reaching an extreme or endpoint. The character originally referred to the ridgepole of a roof, the highest wooden beam, from which the abstract sense of 'extreme' developed.
A wooden beam (木) at the very top of a roof marks the extreme point. From that highest ridge, the idea extends to any ultimate limit or pole.
For キョク, imagine a wooden beam bending to its extreme limit with a loud 'kyock!' sound: kyock -> キョク, as the wood reaches its breaking point.
active; positive; progressive
quite; very
exceedingly; extremely; decisively
ultimate; final; last; eventual
extreme; extremity
to carry to extremes; to go to the end of something; to reach the limits of something
absolute secrecy
utmost limits; extremity
height; acme; extremity; peak
to the utmost; to the best of one's ability
first-rate; finest quality; the best
South Pole
passive; negative; conservative
maximum; extreme; utmost
Far East
North Pole
electrode
far right (in politics); extreme right; ultraright
to watch to the end
Sukhavati (Amitabha's Pure Land)
antipodes
to reach an extreme; to reach a limit; to terminate; to come to an end
extreme cold; intense cold; coldest season; midwinter
Arctic Circle; the Arctic